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Most importantly, it is crucial to have your kidney infection treated promptly. You could risk serious complications if your kidney infection is not treated.

According to the American Urological Association Foundation (AUAF), ʺUTIs are responsible for approximately eight million visits to doctors’ offices each year in the United States. Approximately 40 percent of women and 12 percent of men will experience at least one UTI during their lifetime. Approximately 20 percent of all UTIs occur in men. ʺ

Some signs and symptoms of a kidney infection include:

• Back pain under the lower ribs
• A high fever
• Chills
• An overall sick feeling

The New York Times recommends the following steps to prevent kidney infections and UTIs:

• Drink cranberry juice. Doing so prevents certain types of bacteria from attaching to the wall of the bladder and may lessen your chance of infection.

• Urinate immediately after sexual intercourse. This may help eliminate any bacteria that may have been introduced during sexual activity.

• Keep the genital area clean. Wiping from front to back may help reduce the chance of introducing bacteria from the rectal area to the urethra.

• Drink more fluids (64 to 128 ounces per day). This encourages frequent urination and flushes bacteria from the bladder.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH) website revealed a kidney infection is diagnosed ʺwith a urine test to identify bacteria and formations of white blood cells, called casts, shaped like tubes in the kidneys. If an infection cannot be easily cured, x rays might be done to look for abnormalities in the kidneys, ureters, and bladder.ʺ

If you feel you may have a kidney infection contact your nurse practitioner, family doctor, gynecologist or urologist immediately.

Your health care provider will treat your kidney infection with antibiotics. It is crucial to take the recommended 10-14 day antibiotic medication to rid your body of the bacteria. Also, your health care provider may request a follow-up urine test to make sure the infection has dissipated.

On January 12, 2012, Empowher.com will dedicate a full feature story on kidney infection symptoms.

We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.